U.S. patent application number 12/017356 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for lockable storage container.
Invention is credited to Dennis D. Belden, Ronald M. Marsilio, Aaron McMahan, Jesse D. Wells.
Application Number | 20080230412 12/017356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46150450 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belden; Dennis D. ; et
al. |
September 25, 2008 |
LOCKABLE STORAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A lockable storage container includes a lock that is movable
from a locked position to an unlocked position while the lock is
carried by the container. An indicator is used to indicate the
status of the lock to the user. The lock is held in the unlocked
position so that it cannot accidentally move back into the locked
position. A magnetic key is used to unlock the lock and move the
lock slide to the unlocked position.
Inventors: |
Belden; Dennis D.; (Canton,
OH) ; Marsilio; Ronald M.; (Lake Wylie, SC) ;
McMahan; Aaron; (Massillon, OH) ; Wells; Jesse
D.; (Canton, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRED ZOLLINGER III
P.O. BOX 2368
NORTH CANTON
OH
44720
US
|
Family ID: |
46150450 |
Appl. No.: |
12/017356 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11036774 |
Jan 14, 2005 |
7320235 |
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12017356 |
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10310263 |
Dec 5, 2002 |
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11036774 |
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60337368 |
Dec 5, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/308.2 ;
70/63; G9B/33.011; G9B/33.015 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 70/5004 20150401;
G11B 33/0427 20130101; E05B 73/0023 20130101; Y10T 70/5031
20150401; G11B 33/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/308.2 ;
70/63 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30; B65D 55/14 20060101 B65D055/14 |
Claims
1. A lockable storage container comprising: a container having a
base and a lid; the lid having open and closed positions with
respect to the base; a lock slide carried by the container; the
lock slide slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position
with respect to the container; the locked position of the lock
slide preventing the lid from being opened; the lock slide having
at least one magnetically-movable lock finger movable between
engaged and disengaged positions; the engaged position of the lock
finger holding the lock slide in the locked position; the
disengaged position of the lock finger allowing the lock slide to
slide to the unlocked position; the magnetically-movable lock
finger being movable from the engaged position to the disengaged
position when subjected to a magnetic force; and the lock slide
having a metal portion that allows the lock slide to be moved from
the locked position to the unlocked position with magnetic
force.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is connected to the
base with a living hinge; the living hinge having a longitudinal
dimension; and the lock slide sliding between from the locked
position to the unlocked position in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal dimension of the living hinge.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the lock slide includes at
least a pair of container locking fingers that engage the lid and
base when the lock is in the locked position.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container defines a cavity
when the lid is closed with respect to the base; the lock slide
disposed in the cavity.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the magnetically movable lock
finger pivots about a living hinge between its engaged and
disengaged positions.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the lock slide includes a pair
of magnetically-movable lock fingers movable between engaged and
disengaged positions; the engaged position of the lock fingers
holding the lock slide in the locked position; the disengaged
position of the lock fingers allowing the lock slide to slide to
the unlocked position; the magnetically-movable lock fingers being
movable from the engaged position to the disengaged position when
subjected to a magnetic force.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the metal portion of the lock
slide is at least a portion of the magnetically-movable lock
finger.
8. The container of claim 1, further comprising an indicator having
at least two conditions that correspond to the position of the lock
slide; the indicator including an opening that provides visual
access to a portion of the lock slide.
9. A lockable storage container comprising: a container having a
base and a lid; the lid being having open and closed positions with
respect to the base; a lock slide carried by the container; the
lock slide slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position
with respect to the container; the locked position of the lock
slide preventing the lid from being opened; the lock slide having
at least one magnetically-movable lock finger selectively movable
between engaged and disengaged positions; the engaged position of
the lock finger holding the lock slide in the locked position; the
disengaged position of the lock finger allowing the lock slide to
slide to the unlocked position; the magnetically-movable lock
finger being movable from the engaged position to the disengaged
position with a magnetic force; and a holding member and a holding
ledge; the holding member engageable with the holding ledge to hold
the lock slide in the unlocked position.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the holding member is
magnetically-movable between engaged and disengaged positions.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the lid is connected to the
base with a living hinge; the living hinge having a longitudinal
dimension; and the lock slide sliding between from the locked
position to the unlocked position in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal dimension of the living hinge.
12. The container of claim 11, further comprising a viewable
indicator that indicates the locked and unlocked positions of the
lock slide.
13. The container of claim 9, further comprising a viewable
indicator that indicates the locked and unlocked positions of the
lock slide.
14. A lockable storage container comprising: a container having a
base and a lid; the lid being having open and closed positions with
respect to the base; a lock slide carried by the container; the
lock slide slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position
with respect to the container; the locked position of the lock
slide preventing the lid from being opened; the lock slide having a
magnetically-movable lock finger selectively movable between
engaged and disengaged positions; the engaged position of the lock
finger holding the lock slide in the locked position; the
disengaged position of the lock finger allowing the lock slide to
slide to the unlocked position; the magnetically-movable lock
finger being movable from the engaged position to the disengaged
position when subjected to a magnetic force; the lock slide
including a metal common lock frame; the lock slide being movable
from the locked position to the unlocked position with magnetic
force; and the metal common lock frame includes at least a pair of
container locking fingers that engage the lid and base when the
lock is in the locked position.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the lock slide is disposed
on a lock slide base; the lock slide base being fixed with respect
to the base of the container when the lock slide is moved from the
locked position to the unlocked position.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the container defines a lock
reception cavity when the lid is in the closed position; lock
reception cavity having a length; the lock slide base having a
length substantially equal to the length of the lock reception
cavity.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the lock slide base has a
first end and a second end; the first and second ends being
alternatively visible when the lock slide is in the unlocked and
locked positions to indicate the condition of the lock side.
18. The container of claim 14, wherein each container locking
finger is in the form of a hook.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein the container defines a hook
opening for each of the container locking fingers; each container
locking finger being disposed in a hook opening when the lock slide
is in both the locked and unlocked positions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/036,774 filed Jan. 14, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part
application claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/310,263 filed Dec. 5, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/337,368 filed Dec. 5,
2001; the disclosures of each are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention generally relates to media storage
containers and, more particularly, to lockable media storage
containers. Specifically, the present invention relates to a
lockable media storage container wherein the lock is disposed in
the opening defined by the front walls of the lid and base.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Renting and purchasing items of recorded media such as video
cassettes and video games has become immensely popular in recent
times given the ever increasing number of items available for home
viewing and use as well as the decrease in price of the machines
that play the media. Retail stores display the items of recorded
media in the storage containers delivered from the manufacturer.
Typical rental stores display the items available for rental in
storage boxes that protect the items from dust, ultraviolet light,
and damage from impact if accidentally dropped. Stores protect
themselves against theft by placing one or more EAS tags on or
inside the item of recorded media. An EAS tag is adapted to
activate an alarm when passed through a sensing device that may be
disposed around the exit of the store. It is generally desirable to
place the EAS tags in places where they cannot be easily removed by
a shoplifter.
[0006] A rental establishment typically places older rental stock
out for sale when it no longer needs the item for rental. When
items are put out for sale, the EAS tags are removed from the items
and reused on items that are being rented. The EAS tags are removed
from the items of recorded media prior to sale so that the
purchaser will not activate the alarm systems in other stores with
the EAS tags. Without the EAS tags in the items themselves, a
rental store must protect itself against shoplifting by placing an
EAS tag on the storage container holding the item for sale. It is
desirable that the EAS tag be placed on the storage container in a
way that allows a sales clerk to quickly and easily remove the tag
after the sale is made but also in a manner that prevents a
shoplifter from easily removing the tag. Placement of the EAS tag
in such a position is, however, difficult because a storage
container provides few, if any, areas where the EAS tag may be
hidden. If the EAS tag is placed on the storage container in a
fashion such that it can be easily removed, a shoplifter may simply
remove the tag and steal the item without activating the alarm. It
is thus desired in the art to provide a storage container suitable
for holding and displaying an item of recorded media during display
for rental that has locking holes that can later accept a lock
containing an EAS tag when the container is used to sell an
item.
[0007] Such a storage box and lock combination must be configured
to prevent the thief from simply breaking the lock off the storage
box with a small pry bar. Although the storage box and lock must be
relatively strong, the cost of manufacturing the lock and storage
box must not be prohibitive. It is thus also desired in the art to
provide a relatively inexpensive storage box and lock and key
combination that securely locks the storage box while preventing a
pry bar from being inserted between the lock and the storage
box.
[0008] Retail stores desire the lock and EAS tag to be delivered to
the store from the manufacturer. Retail stores also desire that the
containers have the same footprint as containers without locks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a lockable media storage container
wherein the lock for the container is disposed within the lock
reception cavity defined by the container. The lock may be moved
from a locked position to an unlocked position while remaining
disposed within the lock reception cavity. This configuration
allows a clerk to unlock the lock and sell the unlocked lock and
container to the customer who removes the lock after it is removed
from the retail establishment.
[0010] In one embodiment, the invention provides a lock that locks
itself in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidentally move
back into the locked position.
[0011] In one embodiment, the invention provides a lockable media
storage container system having a media storage container that
defines a lock reception cavity with a lock adapted to fit within
the lock reception cavity; the lock movable between locked and
unlocked positions. The lockable media storage container system
includes a media storage container having a base and a lid that is
movable between open and closed positions. The lock is movable from
the locked position to the unlocked position while the lock is
disposed within the lock reception cavity. The lock includes a
plurality of lock hooks extending from a common lock frame. The
lock also includes a lock finger that locks the lock in the locked
position with the lock finger extending from the common lock frame.
The common lock frame is movable between the locked and unlocked
positions of the lock.
[0012] In another embodiment, the invention provides a lockable
media storage container system that includes a media storage
container having a base and a lid and a lock connectable to the
container; the lock movable between locked and unlocked positions.
The lock includes a lock base and a slide with the lock base being
fixed with respect to the container when the lock is in the locked
position. The lock includes plurality of lock hooks extending from
the slide. The slide is movable with respect to the base between
the locked and unlocked positions of the lock. The hooks engage the
container when the lock is in the locked position to lock the lid
in the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the lockable media storage
container of the present invention in an open configuration.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a disc disposed on
the hub of the media storage container.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the lock
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment
of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked
position.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the
lock shown from the rear.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of
the lock in the locked position.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lockable media storage
container and the first embodiment of the lock showing the media
storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the
opening of the media storage container.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the locked position.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the
locked media storage container of FIG. 10.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.
10.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10 showing the
media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.
13.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a front view of the media storage container
showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening
of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of
plastic.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of FIG.
15.
[0029] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
16.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing a magnet being
positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from
a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0031] FIG. 19 is enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
18.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the lock being
moved to the unlocked position.
[0033] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
20.
[0034] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the lock in the
unlocked position with the magnet removed.
[0035] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
22.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a section view taken along line 25-25 of FIG.
24.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the media storage container
with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock
being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock
from the storage container.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a section view taken along line 27-27 of FIG.
26.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a section view showing an alternative locking
finger arrangement that may be used to hold the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 showing the alternative
locking arrangement holding the lock in the unlocked position.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a
lockable media storage container.
[0043] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the
lock of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment
of the lock of the present invention in an assembled and locked
position.
[0045] FIG. 33 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the
lock shown from the rear.
[0046] FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment
of the lock in the locked position.
[0047] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the lockable media storage
container and the second embodiment of the lock showing the media
storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the
opening of the media storage container.
[0048] FIG. 36 is a section view taken along line 36-36 of FIG.
35.
[0049] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the locked position.
[0050] FIG. 38 is a top view of the front portion of the lid of the
locked media storage container of FIG. 37.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a section view taken along line 39-39 of FIG.
37.
[0052] FIG. 40 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 37 showing the
media storage container wrapped in a thin layer of plastic.
[0053] FIG. 41 is a section view taken along line 41-41 of FIG.
40.
[0054] FIG. 42 is a front view of the media storage container
showing the lock in the locked position disposed within the opening
of the media storage container and covered by the thin layer of
plastic.
[0055] FIG. 43 is a section view taken along line 43-43 of FIG.
42.
[0056] FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
43.
[0057] FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing a magnet being
positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock fingers from
a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0058] FIG. 46 is enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
45.
[0059] FIG. 47 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing the lock being
moved to the unlocked position.
[0060] FIG. 48 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
47.
[0061] FIG. 49 is a view similar to FIG. 43 showing the lock in the
unlocked position with the magnet removed.
[0062] FIG. 50 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
49.
[0063] FIG. 51 is a view similar to FIG. 38 showing the lock in the
unlocked position.
[0064] FIG. 52 is a section view taken along line 52-52 of FIG.
51.
[0065] FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the media storage container
with the thin layer of plastic removed and the handle of the lock
being pulled out so that the handle may be used to remove the lock
from the storage container.
[0066] FIG. 54 is a section view taken along line 54-54 of FIG.
53.
[0067] FIG. 55 is a top plan view of an alternative lockable media
storage container of the present invention in an open
configuration.
[0068] FIG. 56 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the
lock of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 57 is a front perspective view of the third embodiment
of the lock of the present invention.
[0070] FIG. 58 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the
lock shown from the rear.
[0071] FIG. 59 is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment
of the lock.
[0072] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the lockable media storage
container and the third embodiment of the lock showing the media
storage container closed and the lock being aligned with the
opening of the media storage container.
[0073] FIG. 61 is a section view taken through the lock and
container of FIG. 60.
[0074] FIG. 62 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the unlocked position.
[0075] FIG. 63 is a top view of the front portion of the locked
media storage container of FIG. 62 with the lid removed to show the
unlocked position of the lock.
[0076] FIG. 64 is a section view taken along line 64-64 of FIG.
62.
[0077] FIG. 65 is a top view of the front portion of the locked
media storage container of FIG. 62 with the lid removed to show the
locked position of the lock.
[0078] FIG. 66 is a perspective view showing the lock installed in
the lock reception cavity of the media storage container with the
lock in the locked position.
[0079] FIG. 67 is a section view taken through the lock and
container.
[0080] FIG. 68 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
67.
[0081] FIG. 69 is a view similar to FIG. 67 showing a magnet being
positioned adjacent the lock to move the magnetic lock finger from
a locked position to an unlocked position.
[0082] FIG. 70 is enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
69.
[0083] FIG. 71 is a view similar to FIG. 69 showing the lock being
moved to the unlocked position.
[0084] FIG. 72 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
71.
[0085] FIG. 73 is a view similar to FIG. 63 showing the lock being
removed from the container.
[0086] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0087] The first embodiment of the lockable media storage container
system of the invention is indicated by the numeral 8 and includes
container 10 and lock 50. The lockable media storage container of
the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in
the accompanying drawings. Media storage container 10 generally
includes a base 12 that is connected to a lid 14 by an appropriate
hinge. In the exemplary embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of
living hinges 16 that are separated by hinge wall 18. Base 12
generally includes a bottom wall 20 with a pair of opposed
sidewalls 22 projecting out from bottom wall 20. A front wall 24
extends across the edge of bottom wall 20 between the ends of
sidewalls 22 opposite the hinge. Similarly, lid 14 includes a top
wall 30 and a pair of opposed sidewalls 32 that project from top
wall 30. A front wall 34 extends along the edge of top wall 30
between the ends of sidewalls 32 opposite the hinge. Sidewalls 32
are designed to slide within sidewalls 22 when lid 14 is closed so
that container 10 has a double wall thickness when it is closed.
Front walls 24 and 34 may also form a double thick front wall of
container 10 if the double wall thickness is desired. In some
embodiments, front walls 24 and 34 simply abut each other to define
a single-thickness front wall. A tab 36 projects outwardly from
hinge wall 18 so that it will cover a portion of the item of
recorded media 40 when lid 14 is closed as depicted in FIG. 8. This
helps prevent item 40 from falling off of hub 42 when container 10
is shaken or dropped.
[0088] A lock 50 is used to lock container 10 in a closed and
locked configuration. Lock 50 generally includes a lock base 52, a
lock slide 54, and at least one lock finger 56. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock 50 includes a pair of lock fingers 56 that
resiliently project from a common lock frame 58. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock fingers 56 are fabricated from a magnetically
attractable material so that lock fingers 56 may be moved from a
locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a
magnetic field.
[0089] Before explaining and describing all of the structural
elements of container 10 and lock 50, the Applicants will describe
how lock 50 is used with container 10. In FIG. 1, container 10 is
open and item of recorded media 40 has not yet been placed in
container 10. Container 10 may be on the initial portion of an
automated assembly line that loads container 10. In FIG. 2, item 40
has been placed on retaining hub 42. At this time, printed
literature may also be loaded into lid 14. The user then closes lid
14 and aligns lock 50 with the concave opening or lock reception
cavity 60 defined by the front of container 10. Lock 50 is then
inserted into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 10. In
FIG. 10, lock 50 is in the locked position and is securely holding
lid 14 to base 12 such that container 10 cannot be opened until
lock 50 is moved to the unlocked position and removed from
container 10. Container 10 and lock 50 may then be wrapped by a
thin plastic layer 62 as depicted in FIG. 13. Such a layer is
commonly referred to as a shrink wrapped layer in the art.
[0090] Container 10 and lock 50 may then be shipped to a retail
establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may
view the front and rear panel of container 10 without an
interference from lock 50. Lock 50 further does not interfere with
the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel 18) when lock 50 is
locking container 10. A shoplifter cannot readily access item 40
without severely damaging container 10 and drawing attention to
himself in the process.
[0091] The consumer who wishes to purchase container 10 takes lock
container 10 to the retail establishment clerk who charges the
consumer the appropriate amount of money for container 10 and item
40. Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock 50 and
gives container 10 and lock 50 back to the purchaser. The clerk can
unlock lock 50 without damaging the shrink wrap by placing a magnet
in the appropriate location next to lock 50 and moving lock slide
54 to the unlocked position. An appropriate mechanism holds lock
slide 54 in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidentally
return to the locked position as shown in FIG. 23.
[0092] The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock
50 in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The
consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock 50 from
container 10 as shown in FIG. 26. To facilitate the removal of lock
50, a handle 70 is provided in lock 50. Handle 70 may be pivoted
outwardly as depicted in FIG. 26 to provide a grip for the user's
finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle 70 until lock 50 is
removed from container 10. The user then discards lock 50 and
enjoys item of recorded media 40. The concepts of the present
invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer 62. Having now
described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which
lock 50 and container 10 are used, the Applicant will now describe
the structural features shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0093] As described above, lock 50 generally includes a lock base
52 and a lock slide 54 that are depicted in FIGS. 3-6. Lock slide
54 is selectively moveable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. Locking finger 56 prevents lock slide 54 from
moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock
finger 56 is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock
finger 56 engages both lock slide 54 and lock base 52 to prevent
the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions 80
extend from the inner surface of lock slide 54 to engage common
frame 58 to prevent frame 58 from moving longitudinally and
laterally with respect to lock slide 54. Some of protrusions 80 may
extend into a central portion of frame 58 while others of
protrusions 80 may engage the end surface of frame 58. FIG. 3 shows
the locking ledges 82 on which fingers 56 engage when fingers 56
are in the locked position. Ledges 82 may also be seen in FIG.
16.
[0094] Base 52 further defines a secondary locking ledge 84 that is
disposed in the opposite direction of ledges 82. Ledge 84 is
engaged by a holding member 86 that may be in the form of a
resilient locking finger similar to locking fingers 56. Holding
finger 86 may project from common frame 58 as depicted in FIG. 5.
Holding finger 86 is used to hold lock slide 54 in the unlocked
position by engaging ledge 84 as depicted in FIGS. 22 and 23.
[0095] Lock slide 54 is connected to lock base 52 by appropriate
connectors 90 that allow lock slide 54 to move between the locked
position of FIG. 18 and the unlocked position of FIG. 20. Members
90 may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges 92
defined by the body of lock base 52 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. An
opening 94 may provide access to each ledge 92 so that members 90
may engage ledges 92. Base 52 and slide 54 cooperate to define an
EAS tag-reception cavity 96 that is sized to receive an EAS tag 98.
Slide 54 may define a indicator opening 100 that aligns with an
indicator 102. Indicator 102 is colored substantially different
from the color of lock slide 54 so that its color can be viewed
through opening 100 when lock slide 54 is in the locked position.
When lock slide 54 is moved to the unlocked position, indicator 102
is no longer visible through opening 100 thus providing an
indication that lock 50 is unlocked. A different color indicator
104 may be provided if desired. For example, indicator 102 may be
red and indicator 104 may be white with lock slide 54 being black.
When red is visible through opening 100, the user will understand
that lock 50 is in the locked position. When white is visible
through opening 100, the user will understand that lock 50 is in
the unlocked position. In some embodiments, opening 100 may also be
used to force lock slide 54 from the locked position to the
unlocked position when locking fingers 56 are in their unlocked
position. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, lock slide
54 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by
using the magnetic force that moves lock fingers 56 from their
locked position to their unlocked position.
[0096] Lock slide 54 includes container locking fingers 110.
Container locking fingers 110 are adapted to hold lock 50 on
container 10 in a secure manner that prevents lock 50 from being
removed from container 10 until lock slide 54 is in the unlocked
position. Container 10 thus defines finger openings 112 as shown in
FIG. 10. In the exemplary embodiment, lock 50 includes six
container locking fingers 110 that are received in three openings
112 defined by top wall 30 and three openings 112 defined by bottom
wall 20. FIG. 7 shows the front portion of openings 112 wherein
each opening 112 is defined by a locking ledge 114 and an unlocking
ramp 116. Ledges 114 and 116 are adjacent bottom wall 20 and top
wall 30 and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity 60. Ledges
114 are positioned to engage container locking fingers 110 when
lock 50 is in the locked configuration depicted in FIG. 7. Each
container locking finger 110 includes a resilient locking finger
that engages ledge 114 in a one-way snap fit connection when lock
50 is moved into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 10.
When lock slide 54 is moved to the unlocked position, fingers 110
are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp 116. Ramps 116
allow fingers 110 to move back out of container 10 thus allowing
lock 50 to be removed from container 10. These two positions are
depicted in FIGS. 11 and 24.
[0097] FIGS. 28 and 29 show an alternative mechanism for holding
lock slide 54 in the unlocked position. In the embodiment of FIGS.
28 and 29, resilient barbs 87 are connected to one of lock slide 54
and lock base 52 with the other of lock slide 54 and lock base 52
defining openings 89 that receive barbs 87 when lock slide 54 is
moved to the unlocked position. Barbs 87 prevent lock slide 54 from
moving back to the locked position.
[0098] The second embodiment of the lockable media storage
container system of the invention is indicated by the numeral 200
and includes container 202 and lock 250. The second embodiment of
the lockable media storage container of the present invention is
indicated generally by the numeral 202 in the accompanying
drawings. The elements of media storage container 202 are similar
to container 10 and the same reference numbers are used to identify
these elements.
[0099] A lock 250 is used to lock container 202 in a closed and
locked configuration. Lock 250 generally includes a lock base 252,
a lock slide 254, and at least one lock finger 256. In the
exemplary embodiment, lock 250 includes a single lock finger 256
that resiliently projects from a lock frame 258. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock finger 256 is fabricated from a magnetically
attractable material so that lock finger 256 may be moved from a
locked position to an unlocked position with the influence of a
magnetic field.
[0100] Before explaining and describing all of the structural
elements of container 202 and lock 250, the Applicant will describe
how lock 250 is used with container 202. In FIG. 35, container 202
is open and item of recorded media 40 has been placed in container
202. The user (or automated equipment) then closes lid 14 and
aligns lock 250 with lock reception cavity 60 defined by the front
of container 202. Lock 250 is then inserted into lock reception
cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 37. In FIG. 37, lock 250 is in the
locked position and is securely holding lid 14 to base 12 such that
container 202 cannot be opened until lock 250 is moved to the
unlocked position and removed from container 202. Container 202 and
lock 250 may then be wrapped by a thin plastic layer 62 as depicted
in FIG. 41. Such a layer is commonly referred to as a shrink
wrapped layer in the art.
[0101] Container 202 and lock 250 may then be shipped to a retail
establishment for display and sale to a consumer. The consumer may
view the front and rear panel of container 202 without an
interference from lock 250. Lock 250 further does not interfere
with the spine (the outer surface of hinge panel 18) when lock 250
is locking container 202. A shoplifter cannot readily access item
40 without severely damaging container 202 and drawing attention to
himself in the process.
[0102] The consumer who wishes to purchase container 202 takes lock
container 202 to the retail establishment clerk who charges the
consumer the appropriate amount of money for container 202 and item
40. Without removing the shrink wrap, the clerk unlocks lock 250
and gives container 202 and lock 250 back to the purchaser. The
clerk can unlock lock 250 without damaging the shrink wrap by
placing a magnet in the appropriate location next to lock 250 and
moving lock slide 54 to the unlocked position. An appropriate
mechanism holds lock slide 54 in the unlocked position so that it
cannot accidentally return to the locked position as shown in FIG.
23.
[0103] The consumer then leaves the retail establishment with lock
250 in the unlocked position under the layer of shrink wrap. The
consumer may then remove the shrink wrap and pull lock 250 from
container 202 as shown in FIG. 53. To facilitate the removal of
lock 250, a handle 70 is provided in lock 250. Handle 70 may be
pivoted outwardly as depicted in FIG. 26 to provide a grip for the
user's finger and thumb. The user pulls on handle 70 until lock 250
is removed from container 202. The user then discards lock 250 and
enjoys item of recorded media 40. The concepts of the present
invention may also be used without shrink wrap layer 62. Having now
described the concepts of the invention and the methods in which
lock 250 and container 202 are used, the Applicant will now
describe the structural features shown in the accompanying
drawings.
[0104] As described above, lock 250 generally includes a lock base
252 and a lock slide 254 that are depicted in FIGS. 31-34. Lock
slide 254 is selectively moveable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. Locking finger 256 prevents lock slide 254 from
moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when lock
finger 256 is in the locked position. In its locked position, lock
finger 256 engages both lock slide 254 and lock base 252 to prevent
the two items from moving relative to one another. Protrusions 280
extend from the inner surface of lock slide 254 to engage frame 258
to prevent frame 258 from moving longitudinally and laterally with
respect to lock slide 254. Some of protrusions 280 may extend into
a central portion of frame 258 while others of protrusions 280 may
engage the end surface of frame 258. FIG. 31 shows the locking
ledge 282 on which finger 256 engages when finger 256 is in the
locked position. Ledge 282 may also be seen in FIG. 16.
[0105] Base 252 further defines a secondary locking ledge 284 that
is disposed in the opposite direction of ledge 282. Ledge 284 is
engaged by a holding member 286 that may be in the form of a
resilient locking finger similar to locking finger 256. Holding
finger 286 may project from common frame 258 as depicted in FIG.
31. Holding finger 286 is used to hold lock slide 254 in the
unlocked position by engaging ledge 284 as depicted in FIGS. 49 and
50.
[0106] Lock slide 254 is connected to lock base 252 by appropriate
connectors 290 that allow lock slide 254 to move between the locked
position of FIG. 43 and the unlocked position of FIG. 49. Members
290 may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges 292
defined by the body of lock base 252 as shown in FIGS. 31 and
33.
[0107] An opening 294 may provide access to each ledge 292 so that
members 290 may engage ledges 292. Base 252 and slide 254 cooperate
to define an EAS tag-reception cavity 296 that is sized to receive
an EAS tag 98.
[0108] Base 252 may include an indicator 298 disposed at the end of
base 252. Indicator 298 may be provided in a bright color or a
color that contrasts with the color of base 252 and slide 254. When
lock 250 is moved to the unlocked position, indicator 298 is
visible as shown in FIG. 53.
[0109] Slide 254 includes a ledge 300 that extends from the front
of slide 254. Ledge 300 allows slide 254 to be pushed from the
locked position to the unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 45-48.
Ledge 300 is positioned at one end of the position of lock frame
258 so that the key that unlocks lock 250 may engage ledge 300 to
push slide 254 to the unlocked position.
[0110] Lock slide 254 includes container locking fingers 310.
Container locking fingers 310 are adapted to hold lock 250 on
container 202 in a secure manner that prevents lock 250 from being
removed from container 202 until lock slide 254 is in the unlocked
position. Container 202 thus defines finger openings 312 as shown
in FIG. 35. In the exemplary embodiment, lock 250 includes six
container locking fingers 310 that are received in three openings
312 defined by top wall 30 and three openings 312 defined by bottom
wall 20. FIG. 38 shows the front portion of openings 312 wherein
each opening 312 is defined by a locking ledge 314 and an unlocking
ramp 316. Ledges 314 and 316 are adjacent bottom wall 20 and top
wall 30 and are disposed adjacent lock reception cavity 60. Ledges
314 are positioned to engage container locking fingers 310 when
lock 250 is in the locked configuration depicted in FIG. 39. Each
container locking finger 310 includes a resilient locking finger
that engages ledge 314 in a one-way snap fit connection when lock
250 is moved into lock reception cavity 60 as depicted in FIG. 37.
When lock slide 254 is moved to the unlocked position, fingers 310
are moved over to be aligned with unlocking ramp 316. Ramps 316
allow fingers 310 to move back out of container 202 thus allowing
lock 250 to be removed from container 202. This position is
depicted in FIGS. 51 and 52.
[0111] Locks 50 and 250 are configured to have a length that is
substantially the same as the length of lock reception cavity 60 so
that either lock 50 or 250 will substantially fill cavity 60 as
shown in FIGS. 16 and 43.
[0112] The third embodiment of the lockable media storage container
system of the invention is indicated by the numeral 320 and
includes container 322 and lock 350. System 320 is used in the
manners described above with respect to the other embodiments of
the invention. Media storage container 322 generally includes a
base 12 that is connected to a lid 14 by an appropriate hinge. In
the exemplary embodiment, the hinge includes a pair of living
hinges 16 that are separated by hinge wall 18. Base 12 generally
includes a bottom wall 20 with a pair of opposed sidewalls 22
projecting out from bottom wall 20. A front wall 24 extends across
the edge of bottom wall 20 between the ends of sidewalls 22
opposite the hinge. Similarly, lid 14 includes a top wall 30 and a
pair of opposed sidewalls 32 that project from top wall 30. A front
wall 34 extends along the edge of top wall 30 between the ends of
sidewalls 32 opposite the hinge. Sidewalls 32 are designed to slide
within sidewalls 22 when lid 14 is closed so that container 10 has
a double wall thickness when it is closed. Front walls 24 and 34
may also form a double thick front wall of container 10 if the
double wall thickness is desired. In some embodiments, front walls
24 and 34 simply abut each other to define a single-thickness front
wall. A tab 36 projects outwardly from hinge wall 18 so that it
will cover a portion of the item of recorded media when lid 14 is
closed in a manner similar to that depicted in FIG. 8. This helps
prevent the item of recorded media from falling off of hub 42 when
container 10 is shaken or dropped.
[0113] A lock 350 is used to lock container 322 in a closed and
locked configuration. Lock 350 generally includes a lock base 352,
a lock slide 354, and at least one lock finger 356 as shown in
FIGS. 56-59. In the exemplary embodiment, lock 350 includes a lock
finger 356 that resiliently projects from a common lock frame 358.
In the exemplary embodiment, lock finger 356 is fabricated from a
magnetically attractable material so that lock finger 356 may be
moved from a locked position to an unlocked position with a
magnetic field.
[0114] Lock slide 354 is selectively moveable between a locked
position and an unlocked position. Locking finger 356 prevents lock
slide 354 from moving from the locked position to the unlocked
position when lock finger 356 is in the locked position. In its
locked position, lock finger 356 engages lock base 352 to prevent
lock base 352 and common lock frame 358 from moving relative to one
another. The ends 380 of the sidewalls 381 of lock slide 354 engage
common lock frame 358 causing common lock frame 358 to move with
lock slide 354. Ends 380 engage the hooks 383 in the exemplary
embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention,
common lock frame 358 may be connected to lock slide 354 in other
manners known to those skilled in the art include various types of
interference fits, lock fingers, and fasteners. Lock finger 356 is
disposed in a pocket defined by lock base 352 when finger 356 is in
the locked position. FIG. 56 shows the locking ledge 382 on which
finger 356 engages when finger 356 is in the locked position. Ledge
382 may also be seen in FIG. 68. Frame 358 and hooks 383 may be
integrally formed from a single piece of metal that is attractable
with a magnet. The magnetic key 385 will thus attract frame 358 and
help move it to between the locked and unlocked positions.
[0115] Base 352 may define a secondary locking ledge that is
disposed in the opposite direction of ledge 382. The secondary
locking ledge may be designed to cooperate with a holding member
that holds common lock frame 358 in the unlocked position. The
holding member may be a magnetically-actuatable lock finger similar
(but disposed in the opposite direction) to lock finger 356.
[0116] Lock slide 354 is connected to lock base 352 by appropriate
connectors 390 that allow lock slide 354 to move between the locked
position of FIG. 69 and the unlocked position of FIG. 63. Members
390 may be received in a one-way snap fit connection by ledges 392
defined by the body of lock base 352 as shown in FIGS. 56, 58, and
61. An opening 394 provides access to each ledge 392 so that
members 390 may snap fit against ledges 392. Base 352 and slide 354
cooperate to define an EAS tag-reception cavity 396 that is sized
to receive an EAS tag 398.
[0117] Lock base 352 includes first 401 and second 403 indicator
ends that are alternatively visible when lock slide 354 is in the
unlocked and locked positions. Ends 401 and 403 may be colored
substantially different from the color of lock slide 354 so that
their color can be viewed by a person viewing system 320. When lock
slide 354 is moved to the unlocked position, indicator end 401 is
visible providing an indication that lock 350 is unlocked.
[0118] As introduced above, common lock frame 358 includes
container locking hooks 383. Container locking hooks 383 are
adapted to hold lock 350 on container 322 in a secure manner that
prevents lock 350 from being removed from container 322 until lock
slide 354 is in the unlocked position. Container 322 thus defines
hook openings 412 as shown in FIGS. 55, 61 and 73. In the exemplary
embodiment, lock 350 includes four container locking hooks 383 that
are received in four openings 412 defined by front walls 24 and 34.
Hooks 383 hold lock 350 in place as shown in FIG. 65 and may be
inserted/removed as shown in FIGS. 63 and 73.
[0119] Slide 354 includes a ledge 400 that extends from the front
of slide 354. Ledge 400 allows slide 354 to be pushed from the
locked position to the unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 69-73.
When ledge 400 is not used, the magnetic force of the key is used
to move lock 350 between the locked and unlocked positions.
[0120] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0121] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *